New South Wales Consolidated Acts

CANCER INSTITUTE (NSW) ACT 2003 - SECT 12

12 General functions of Cancer Institute

(1) The Cancer Institute may do and perform all acts and things that are necessary or convenient for giving effect to its objectives.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Cancer Institute has the following functions:

(a) to undertake, commission or sponsor cancer-related research and development,

(b) to facilitate collaboration and co-operation between bodies involved in cancer-related research and development and in doing so, to establish a publicly available register of such bodies,

(c) to provide a system that facilitates expeditious ethical approval for multi-centre clinical trials and other cancer-related research,

(d) to foster and support best practice in, and an evidence-based approach to, cancer control, including participating in the development, evaluation, recommendation or endorsement of guidelines, protocols and practices for cancer control,

(e) to accredit programs relating to cancer control, including prevention and screening programs,

(f) to review, monitor, evaluate and recommend improvements to cancer-related programs and proposed initiatives in the public health system in relation to cancer control,

(g) to facilitate improvements in the effectiveness of cancer control and to develop or endorse strategies to achieve such improvements,

(h) to review, develop or commission innovative programs for cancer control,

(i) to develop, in conjunction with the Department of Health and public health organisations, a State Cancer Plan by 30 June 2004 for consideration by the Minister for Health and, in conjunction with the Department of Health and public health organisations, to review and recommend changes (if any) to the Plan for consideration by the Minister for Health at least every 2 years after that date (or within such other period as may be determined by the Minister for Health),

(j) to advise and make recommendations to the Minister on the manner in which that portion of the money appropriated from the Consolidated Fund in any financial year to the Minister for Health, and which the Minister for Health has specifically designated to be administered by the Cancer Institute, is to be expended,

(k) to advise the Minister and the Director-General on such matters in relation to cancer control as may be required by the Minister or the Director-General from time to time,

(l) to undertake the assessment of any cancer control service or program in the public health system as may be required by the Minister for Health or the Director-General from time to time and to report to the Minister for Health or the Director-General on the outcome of that assessment,

(m) to investigate, evaluate and advise on complementary therapies in the care and treatment of cancer patients, having regard to their clinical effectiveness, safety and effect on quality of life,

(n) to obtain, collate, maintain and analyse information relating to cancer control,

(o) to disseminate information and advice about cancer control,

(p) to provide training and education relevant to cancer control,

(q) to consult, collaborate and co-operate with public health organisations, consumers, health professionals, government agencies, non-government organisations and other persons or bodies involved in cancer control,

(r) to engage in fund raising activities for cancer-related purposes and to establish a publicly available register of the bodies that conduct any such fund raising activities,

(s) to exercise such other functions in relation to cancer control as may be prescribed by the regulations.

(3) The Cancer Institute has such other functions as are conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act or law.

(4) However, the Cancer Institute cannot employ any staff.

Note: Staff may be employed under Chapter 1A of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 in the Government Service to enable the Cancer Institute to exercise its functions.